In keeping with tradition, here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2010.

I’ve decided to eliminate some items from last year’s list because they have become so routine that they do not warrant resolution status anymore. These include writing for at least two hours a day and flossing every day.

To put these items on the list would seem like cheating. They’ve become akin to breathing and assuming that all movie sequels will suck.

Automatic. Almost second nature.

I was also going to remove last year’s resolution to see a dozen movies in the theater, but a friend thought that last year’s achievement (15 movies in all) was a fluke and could not be repeated. Out of spite, I’m keeping the resolution on the list.

So here they are. Sixteen in all. Four more than last year.

1. Lose seventeen more pounds, bringing my weight down to 185 pounds, which was my high school pole vaulting weight.

Seventeen pounds sounds like a lot, but I lost 33 pounds in 2009, so I think it’s possible. Of course, when I told my doctor about my goal at last week’s physical, she noted that my height-to-weight goal should actually be 175 pounds.

“But I won the district pole vaulting championship at 185 pounds,” I protested. “I was in the best shape of my life!”

“Sorry,” was all she could offer.

2. Complete CHICKEN SHACK by my birthday.

This will require some work.

3. Eat three servings of oatmeal a week in order to reduce my cholesterol..

I wish McDonald’s served oatmeal.

4. Try liver.

My wife has never eaten liver, refuses to make, but assures me that I will hate it. But it’s meat. How could I not like it?

5. Publish an Op-Ed in a national newspaper.

6. Participate in The Moth as a storyteller, at a live show or on their radio broadcast.

7. Complete the rock opera.

Ideally, we’d love to have it performed on stage in the fall at our local theater, but if that’s not possible, I’d like to at least get to the point where it feels complete.

8. Read at least six novels that were published in 2010.

Though I read or listened to more than forty books last year, only three were published in 2009. I’d like to be a little more in tune with this year’s list, so I’m making it a point of reading at least half a dozen books published this year.

9. Organize my basement.

10. Learn to use Dreamweaver with reasonable skill.

My author’s website was designed in such a way that I should be able to easily edit it in Dreamweaver. Now if only I can figure out how to use the software. Thankfully, I have a friend who can help.

11. Land at least one paying client for my fledgling life coach business.

I think I would make an excellent life coach. I currently have one pro-bono client. I’d like to build the business in 2010.

12. Go to at least twelve movies this year, continuing to debunk the myth that the parents of newborns are no longer able to go out to the movies.

Explained above.

13. Rid Elysha and myself of all education debt before the end of the year.

A repeat from last year.

14. Replace the twelve ancient windows on the first and second floor of the house with more energy efficient ones.

A repeat from last year.

15. Make one mortgage payment from poker profits.

A repeat from last year. I came close in 2009. Playing higher stakes in 2010 might be the answer, or it might break my bank. We’ll see.

16. Post my progress in terms of these resolutions on this blog on the first day of every month.